Todorov, Propp and Barthes

Tzvetan Todorov is all about plot structure, the idea is that there is an equilibrium at the beginning, it is the normal state in the world of the film. Then there is a disruption, a conflict introduced into the narrative. After that there is a recognition of the disruption, the protagonist is effected by this change which then leads to the attempt to repair, which shows the protagonist changing to resolve the problem. Lastly the new/return to equilibrium when the conflict is resolved.

Vladimir Propp is all about character types and how he came up with 8 character types and 31 different narrative structures. The 8 characters include:

• The Hero
• The Villain
• The Doner - provides hero with magical property
• The Helper - aids hero on quest
• The Princess - reward for hero (not always a love interest)
• The Princess Father
• The Dispatcher - sends hero on quest
• The False Hero

The critisms of Propp include that it can't apply to all narratives or that the storyline could be complicated and doesn't defy the conventions of a typical folk tales.

Roland Barthes is all about narrative codes and how there is 5 different narrative codes which people can use to decode the story. He emphasises the roles of the audience in creating meaning and what they expect to happen. The 5 different narrative codes are:

• Action
• Enigma
• Semic
• Symbolic
• Cultural